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22 Jul 2024

Post Malone & Luke Combs Announce ‘Guy for That’ Collaboration, Release Date

Post Malone has steadily been showcasing new music from his upcoming country album F-1 Trillion (out Aug. 16), and piling up country collaborations over the past several weeks. He previously earned a six-week No. 1 hit on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 with the Morgan Wallen collab “I Had Some Help” and teamed with Blake Shelton for the song “Pour Me a Drink.”

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Now, Post Malone and two-time CMA entertainer of the year winner Luke Combs are set to release a new collaboration, “Guy for That,” on Friday (July 26).

Post Malone first teased a clip of the song on social media back in February. Earlier this week, Post Malone and Combs surprised fans by filming what seemed to be portions of a music video for the song. Wearing a hat emblazoned with “Dolly Parton Fan Club,” Posty joined Combs on a flatbed trailer, performing the song together as cameras rolled and the trailer made its way through downtown Nashville‘s Broadway.

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Earlier this week, Post Malone shared more of his country connections by teaming with Bud Light for “A Night in Nashville,” an intimate concert held at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, where Post welcomed not only Shelton, but also Joe Nichols, HARDY and Sierra Ferrell to preview more new music, including a version of Posty’s “Never Love Again” with Ferrell, “Would You Hide My Gun” with HARDY, and tender new solo song Post Malone dedicated to his daughter, called “Yours.”

He also teamed with Shelton for a performance during CMA Fest in June and in June, teamed with Lainey Wilson, Ashley Gorley and Ernest for a songwriters’ round at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe.

See the clip of “Guy For That” below:

22 Jul 2024

Jerry Fuller, Songwriter-Producer Whose Hits Spanned Decades & Genres, Dies at 85

Jerry Fuller, who wrote and/or produced hits that spanned decades and genres, died of lung cancer on Thursday (July 18) at his home in Sherman Oaks, Calif. He was 85.

Fuller wrote two songs that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100: Ricky Nelson’s “Travelin’ Man” in 1961 and Al Wilson’s “Show and Tell” in 1974. He also produced the latter song, which in addition to topping the Hot 100 reached No. 10 on what was then known as Billboard‘s Best Selling Soul Singles.

He also wrote Nelson’s “A Wonder Like You,” his follow-up to “Travelin’ Man,” which reached No. 11 on the Hot 100, as well as two subsequent Nelson singles that went top 10: “Young World” (No. 5) and “It’s Up to You” (No. 6).

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Fuller had another solid run of hits in 1968 with Gary Puckett & the Union Gap. He wrote the group’s punchy pop hits “Young Girl” and “Lady Willpower,” which spent a combined five weeks at No. 2 on the Hot 100, and the mellower, adult contemporary-oriented “Over You,” which reached No. 7. All three of those singles went gold.

“What can I say about a guy whose vision defined my musical identity and destiny,” Puckett said in a statement in the wake of Fuller’s death. “What can ANYONE say about a man who gave SO much to SO many through his talents and efforts in the world of music. Thank you, Jerry! The world was a better place with you in it.”

Fuller was born in Fort Worth, Texas on Nov. 19, 1938, and moved to Los Angeles in early 1959. In 1960, while touring with The Champs (best known for their 1958 smash “Tequila”), Fuller got to know Glen Campbell, who remained a lifelong friend.

Early in his career, Fuller worked as a demo singer, which led to a recording and songwriting contract with Gene Autry’s Four Star Music and Challenge Records.

Fuller had four Hot 100 hits as an artist from 1959-61, the highest-charting of which (a rockabilly cover version of the standard “Tennessee Waltz”) reached No. 61. But he had far more success working with other artists. He originally wrote “Travelin’ Man” for Sam Cooke — it has the pop flavor of such Cooke hits of the period as “Only Sixteen,” “Wonderful World” and Cupid” — but it made its way to Nelson instead.

Fuller was unique among writer/producers in that he also produced songs he didn’t write, including O.C. Smith’s recording of Bobby Russell’s “Little Green Apples,” which reached No. 2 on both the Hot 100 and Billboard‘s Best Selling Rhythm & Blues Singles (as the chart was then known) in 1968.

He also produced but did not write Gary Puckett & the Union Gap’s breakthrough hit “Woman, Woman” (which was written by Jim Glaser and Jimmy Payne); Mark Lindsay’s solo hits “Arizona” and “Silver Bird” (which were written by Kenny Young, the latter in tandem with Artie Butler); and The Knickerbockers’ 1965 hit “Lies” (which was written by Beau Charles and Buddy Randell).

The power-pop hit “Lies,” which has the energy of Beatles hits of the era, also underscores Fuller’s range. From power-pop to ballads; from pop/soul to country, his hits defied easy categorization.

In the early ’90s, Fuller co-produced (with John Hobbs) Collin Raye’s “Love, Me,” which topped Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs for three weeks in early 1992. The song brought Raye, Fuller and Hobbs a nomination for single of the year at the 1991 CMA Awards.

Elsewhere, Fuller also wrote numerous country hits for Ray Price, including “That’s All She Wrote,” “To Make a Long Story Short” and “Feet.”

In the 1970s, Fuller formed his own companies, Moonchild Productions In. and Fullness Music Company.

Fuller was never personally nominated for a Grammy, though some of the records he worked on were. And, somewhat surprisingly, he was not inducted into either the Songwriters Hall of Fame or the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. But he wrote and/or produced many songs that are fondly remembered.

Fuller is survived by his wife, the former Annette Smerigan, and their two children, Adam Lee and Anna Nicole.

22 Jul 2024

Travis Kelce’s ‘Stache Is a Throwback to His First Time Meeting Taylor Swift

El Travador is back.

Travis Kelce recently stepped out rocking a mustache for the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp this week, marking the same facial hair look he had when he first began dating Taylor Swift last summer. “The return of El Travador,” the NFL team captioned a video of the tight end, who’s seen walking in his 87 jersey, Nike Jordan 1 football cleats and the new facial hair look.

“I’ll tell you what that ‘stache and the 87 jersey was pretty iconic there for a bit. “I had it when I met Taylor for the first time,” Kelce previously shared during a press conference in October 2023.

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The New Heights host has been to more than a dozen Eras Tour concerts since he first came to one of her Kansas City shows last summer. Prior to Swift’s stops in Germany, he attended her concert in Amsterdam with Patrick and Brittany Mahomes, as well as made a surprise onstage cameo in London.

The athlete made his Eras Tour stage debut at the start of “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.” The Kansas City Chiefs tight end carried an exhausted Swift to the couch on set in the over-the-top final act of her Tortured Poets extravaganza.

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22 Jul 2024

Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome Arena Unveils Flexible ‘Halo Board’ for Concerts and Basketball Games

Southern California’s newest arena is pulling out all the stops to stand out in the crowded market. On Friday (July 19), Intuit Dome (home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers) unveiled its advanced center-hung board, which spans nearly a full acre. The flexible board will be utilized for basketball games, concerts and special events held at the Inglewood venue.  

The Halo Board, as it has been dubbed, is one of the largest double-sided halo displays in an arena setting, curving around the top of the dome at 38,375 sq. ft. It is the equivalent of nearly 3,600 60-inch TV screens with 233 million LEDs. 

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer told the media at a press conference on Friday (July 19) that he traveled around the globe looking at various scoreboards to develop his vision for the Dome’s Halo Board. He admired the board at AT&T Stadium in Dallas and told Halo Spots & Entertainment CEO Gillian Zucker to “make it bigger.” 

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With a video board, “you could say, ‘Hey, it’s just a thing that’s supposed to be there to be impressive’ – almost like some artwork,” said Ballmer. “But I didn’t want that and wanted to make sure that thing was totally functional, that it really added to the game.”

Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft, explained that he wanted the board to be functional for every fan. In order to reach every seat in the house, Zucker explained, “We actually had to map every single pixel and every single seat.” The Halo Board hangs high above the basketball court, leaving enough space between itself and the floor to avoid obstructing sightlines for any seat in the 17,700-seat arena. Every seat in the house will be able to see both exterior and interior screens on the board, allowing for a wide range of visible content.  

The Halo Board will display gameplay, statistics, instant replays and audience moments for sporting events, and fans can interact with it via a light-up, four-button controller situated on their armrests.

Intuit Dome’s Halo Board

Intuit Dome’s Halo Board

Courtesy of LA Clippers

The Halo board can also be utilized for concerts at the venue; artists can use the entire board or fold up the ends on either side to enhance sight lines.  

“It is available for artists to use if they want. We have some standard software [where we] tried to make it easy for them to put their content up,” said Ballmer. “We think some artists will use it and some artists may well not use it because it doesn’t fit the way they think about things. But we wanted to have some extra area for acts to be able to enhance their concert experiences.” 

Prior to the Clippers’ home opener, Intuit Dome will host more than 20 concerts. The venue’s grand opening will feature a two-night residency from Bruno Mars on Aug. 15 and 16. That will be followed by comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, Marc Antonio Solis and two nights of Olivia Rodrigo. Peso Pluma, Twenty One Pilots, and Future and Metro Boomin will close out the month of August.  

Looking ahead, NCT DREAM, Slipknot, Grupo Frontera, Bujo Banton, Usher, Weezer, Billy Joel and Ana Gabriel are also scheduled to appear at the new arena.  

Intuit Dome’s Halo Board

Intuit Dome’s Halo Board

Courtesy of LA Clippers

22 Jul 2024

Drake Fans Respond With ‘Family Matters’ Video Game Targeting Kendrick Lamar

On the heels of Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us: The Game arriving last week, Drake fans wasted no time in responding to drop, drop, drop, a video game celebrating “Family Matters.”

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An X account surfaced on Monday (July 22) for Family Matters The Game seemingly targeting Kendrick Lamar for OVO fans.

The video game is essentially inspired by Drake’s “Family Matters” bars making fun of K. Dot’s inclination to win Grammy Awards. “Kendrick just opened his mouth, someone go hand him a Grammy right now,” he raps on the scathing diss.

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The point of the game is to shoot as many Grammy Award trophies into Kendrick’s mouth as possible. As the levels go up, so does the game’s difficulty with Kendrick’s head moving from side-to-side with a digitized version of the “Family Matters” instrumental playing in the background.

“Made by some real ones to prove a point. That Not Like us game was trash. KBots backdooring the plays like Kendrick’s Spotify, haha,” the game’s credits state while insinuating that Lamar’s streams were artificially boosted in his war with Drake.

As of press time, Family Matters The Game‘s high score is listed at 19 by a user named Ron. “Let’s see if @Complex ,@XXL and all the other site run with the Family Matters Game like they did the other game. Someone send this ish to @Akademiks,” the game’s X account added.

Drake fans seemed to find the game amusing. “Nah this is hilarious whoever made this,” one person wrote. Anyone who thought the pettiness from both fan bases was going to die down appears to be mistaken.

Although, it’s been two different stories on the Billboard Hot 100. On last week’s chart — dated July 20 — K. Dot’s “Not Like Us” returned to No. 1 while “Family Matters” has fallen off the chart completely.

Drake delivered the eviscerating “Family Matters” on May 4 in what he thought would be a three-part kill shot on Lamar. However, Kendrick smothered Drizzy’s momentum with the diabolical “Meet The Grahams” just mere minutes later, which cleared the way for “Not Like Us” to be the true knockout punch.

Play Family Matters The Game here.

22 Jul 2024

Frank Ocean & Michael Uzowuru Have Been Working on New Music Together

The New York Times profiled producer Michael Uzowuru recently and in the article, they talked about his relationship with Frank Ocean. Uzowuru, who has been affiliated with the Odd Future crew since around 2009, worked on Frank’s last two albums, Endless and Blonde, and more recently they’ve been in Miami making new music together.

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“Me and Michael’s careers exist post hip-hop — that genre, that culture, informs both of us greatly, but his appetite has grown; his vocabulary, musically, has grown so much over the time that I’ve known him,” Ocean told NYT over the phone.

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Along with Rick Rubin, Uzowuru is someone the singer turns to when he has writer’s block. “Michael is a friend I talk to about where I’m at artistically very often.” Ocean also mentioned how it was his friend who he called when he was trying to figure out Blonde standout “Nights,” revealing, “I had all these ways of describing what the album was missing. Ultimately, I had to write it, I had to do it. But it did start in conversation with [Michael].”

The duo are much more than collaborators, though, and are closer to family. “I couldn’t love him or care about him more,” Uzowuru told NYT. “I’m very grateful for him as a person outside of the work, so it doesn’t matter if we work. I don’t need to work with him, because it’s so much bigger. He’s separate from everyone else. He’s family.”

Frank Ocean hasn’t released an album since dropping both Endless and Blonde in 2016. The last time we heard from him was when he gave us the two loosies “Dear April” and “Cayendo” in 2020.

22 Jul 2024

Lupe Fiasco Clears the Air on Rumored Kendrick Lamar Rift: ‘I Never Said I Don’t Like Him’

A contingent of fans are still convinced that there is static between hip-hop titans Kendrick Lamar and Lupe Fiasco.

During an all-encompassing Twitter Spaces over the weekend, Lupe cleared the air about not having any issues with the “Not Like Us” rapper.

“I’m a Kendrick fan for more than his music,” the Chicago rap dignitary responded to a fan. “I like his creativity and conceptualization. And the decisions that he makes. I also like his impact into the culture for Black folks. I like that he inspires Black folks. That’s why I never said I don’t like him.”

Lupe continued: “Cus even if I don’t like all his songs or listen to all his songs — and same thing with Drake — I understand their impact into the culture and I would never, ever, ever — because for me it’s us first — ever, ever, disparage.”

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The “Kick, Push” rapper implored the agitated fan to pull up receipts regarding an instance in the past that he showcased distain for Lamar.

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“I don’t have a problem with dude. Show me where I’ve explicitly said I don’t like him. Show me that. Then we can move on.”

However, Lupe did admit he was envious of the creative environment that Top Dawg Entertainment fostered for artists.

“One thing that I wish I had. This is me being open and vulnerable that I’ve always looked at like, ‘Man, I wish I had that.’ I wish I had that creative space that they created at TDE, he said. “When I say wish I had, I wish I had it back. When we first started rocking, that was our thing.”

Lupe added some context around a 2014 Hot 97 interview: “I was so happy that those things exist. Even in that Peter Rosenberg interview, where I called Peter Rosenberg a nut-hugger very jovially was that the thing that I do admire and wished I was a part of was that creative piece. “

Back in 2018, Lupe said Kendrick wasn’t a “top-tier lyricist.” “I’ll put it to you like this. K. Dot is not a top tier lyricist to me and my standards when it comes to punchlines and bars. His overall lyrics are good, his stories phenomenal, but punchline entendre lyrically I don’t see it,” he wrote in a series of tweets captured by REVOLT. He later apologized for causing a stir with Lamar.

Lupe continued: “Also the only issue that the world thinks I have with K. Dot and I actually do is that I think his ‘Control’ verse was wack and super overhyped to be a verse claiming you are the best rapper. It was very weird. I was told it was just bait, but still.”

The claims resurfaced in April when Complex compiled a list of rappers that have apologized to Kendrick Lamar following J. Cole’s apology to the rapper. “Relax yo,” Lupe clapped back at Complex. “I wasn’t apologizing to him… Keep my name clean…I fear no rapper of any kind or on anytime. K dot solid but y’all need to chill lol.”

In a separate part of the Twitter Spaces, Lupe Fiasco took issue with some of hip-hop’s gatekeepers and thinks those involved should have some form of a PhD in the genre.

“If you want to start who is in and who is out, a process which I don’t agree with, and I think is bulls–t, if you want to do that you should have a degree,” he said. “You should have a PhD in hip-hop. If you ain’t got that, then I don’t think that you are qualified to and have the right to speak on of hip-hop.”

Lupe has stayed busy on the music side this year, as he returned with his Soundtrakk-produced Samurai project in June.

22 Jul 2024

Lady Gaga Spotted in Paris Amid Rumors She’s Performing at Olympics Opening Ceremony

Lady Gaga has arrived in Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympics, and fans think she’s there for more than the croissants.

On Monday (July 22), the pop superstar was photographed waving and blowing kisses to fans in the City of Light as she stood next to her car, dressed in a low-key baseball cap, sunglasses and leathery jacket. A fan video captures Gaga greeting admirers while peeking out of the vehicle’s sunroof, holding up a hand heart.

The sighting comes a few days after the Olympics appeared to tease a special guest at the 2024 Opening Ceremony, which kicks off Friday (July 26), by posting a cryptic video featuring a person in disguise that many thought to be the 13-time Grammy winner. In the clip, a hooded figure tightens their metallic belt and wraps a large flag with the ancient sporting event’s logo on it around their shoulders as a cape.

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” the video teases. “See you on 26 July.”

“I told y’all this [was] GAGA,” one fan wrote of the clip on X after photos of the singer in Paris surfaced.

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“gaga probably gonna perform LG7 lead at the olympics girl we are SOOO back,” another person tweeted.

Gaga’s trip to France comes in the midst of her teasing that her upcoming seventh album is in the works. A few days prior, she shared photos from the studio and wrote, “Happy as ever making music … feel so grateful, heart is peaceful. It’s like meditation. I can’t wait for you to hear what I’m working on.”

The star is also closing in on the release of Joker: Folie à Deux, in which she stars as Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role. A teaser trailer for the dark movie musical dropped earlier this year, promising an Oct. 4 theatrical release date.

See clips of Gaga in Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympics below.

22 Jul 2024

Celebrities Support Kamala Harris’ Bid for Presidency | Billboard News

As Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and threw his support behind VP Kamala Harris, celebrities have been rallying in support of her. Keep watching to see who’s got her back!

Tetris Kelly:
It’s a Brat summer as musicians prepare to support Kamala Harris as Joe Biden drops out of the race for the presidency. Let’s dive in.

After President Biden dropped out of the 2024 race to the White House, he immediately put his weight behind his VP, Kamala Harris. And also pretty immediately, Katy Perry posted this video embracing her current single.

And we’ve all heard it’s a Brat summer. Well, Charli XCX posted, “kamala IS brat.” And the hopeful presidential nominee didn’t shy away from the Gen Z endorsement, following Charli on social media and using the Brat aesthetic on her HQ page. Now if only we could get her doing the TikTok, we know she has the moves.

Who else do you think will come out in support of Kamala Harris? Let us know in the comments. 

22 Jul 2024

Lego Supersizes Iconic Building Bricks Into a Statement-Making Backpack (And It’s On Sale)

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Lego has built a name for itself as one of the toy brands that helps you unleash your creativity through building. While original creations are encouraged, Lego is no stranger to releasing collections inspired by TV series and movies — including the highly-sought Tower of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings that’s been on backorder since its release day on June 4. Collectors can take their love for the building blocks to another level now with a new accessory: a Lego-inspired bag that’s sure to become your go-to travel backpack.

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Lego has released an official unisex brick backpack that’s on sale on QVC for 36% off, dropping the price to an affordable $37. Lego collectors will want to put this travel essential on their radar as it not only displays your devotion to the brand, but includes enough space to pack small builds and must-have commuting gadgets. The bag comes in one size and is available in two colors: red and blue depending on what your style preferences are.

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Keep reading to shop the Lego backpack below.

blue and red lego brick backpack

LEGO Unisex Brick Backpack

$31.98

$49.99

36% off

$58.78

Whether you need a new school backpack or just want a statement-making bag, this Lego brick backpack is ready to draw attention, thanks to its block-inspired styling and surprisingly roomy compartments. It comes with a thick lining to help protect your belongings and keep them secure. In addition to the main compartment, you’ll also find two stud-styled zip pockets and a mesh side pocket.

Unlike typical building blocks, this Lego backpack won’t leave you yelping in pain if you step on it thanks to the soft yet durable 100% polyester body.

The backpack has become a hot item with “sellout risk,” according to QVC’s product description. Both colors are still in stock, but they are already low in inventory, which means you’ll want to add one or both to your cart sooner rather than later. (The Lego backpack is also available on Amazon though not currently on sale).

For more product recommendations, you can check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best Lego gift sets, board games for adults and music trivia games.